But a larger clog or one that's deep into your home's plumbing system may not respond to the pressure of a plunger. Never use excessive force to plunge a clog. If the drain won't open with normal plunging pressure, you need a professional's help. Forceful plunging can damage the drain line and cause leaks.
Plunging down too hard
A hard thrust downward can break the wax seal between the toilet and the floor, causing a leak. And a really hard thrust could even crack the bowl. The proper toilet plunging technique: Place the plunger in the toilet bowl so that water is covering the lips of the plunger.
Excessive pressure can damage the drain line connection, resulting in leaks or a ruined trap.
But did you know that a clogged drain can cause a pipe to burst as well? Leaving a clog unattended can lead to increased pressure inside pipes, which can then crack or burst. This is a messy and often expensive problem that can cause significant damage to your plumbing and home.
Is it bad to plunge a shower drain? While it won't necessarily cause damage, you should not plunge a shower drain. It will only cause the clog to travel further down your plumbing.
Don'ts: Don't use excessive force when plunging a clog. Also, keep in mind that you shouldn't use too much pressure because it can damage the drain line connection, which will lead to further problems eventually.
Many people think that a forceful push into the plunger is what frees up the clog, but this can often worsen the problem. In fact, pushing the plunger in with enough force can even break the seal of the toilet gasket (the seal between the toilet and the floor where the plumbing exits).
Clanging or Dripping Noises in the Walls
If you hear the sound of water in your walls, you probably have a broken pipe. This sound is much different from the gurgling sound you may hear if your home normally has fluctuating water pressure.
The excessive water pressure may exceed the pipes' structural capacity to withstand force, leading to a sudden burst. Apart from the volume of water, hard water can also deposit some minerals into your plumbing network. These minerals can gradually accumulate and cause your pipes to burst.
In fact, burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during frigid weather and can cause thousands in water damage—easily $5,000 or more, according to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (PDF).
Corrosion
The chemicals in the product are designed to break own the clog, but if left for too long, they can start to break down the pipes themselves. This can lead to cracks and leaks in the pipes, leading to various issues, including water damage and flooding.
Before plunging, it's important to ensure there is enough water in the toilet bowl to sufficiently plunge it. If there isn't, then pour some water into the toilet bowl to create some suction, but only do this if the water level in the toilet is already low.
Ideally, no more than five or 10 minutes. One plumber told us that if plunging goes on any longer, it's time to try a toilet snake or call an expert.
Start slow and add force as needed. Several gentle pumps will usually work better than a couple of hard pushes. If your blockage is going to come out, it should happen in less than 10 minutes.
Clogs increase the risk of an overflowing toilet, which can cause damage to your home and affect your health. The contents of your toilet and sewer line are far from sanitary. Once these contents come out of your toilet and are exposed to air, they create foul odours and health concerns.
Pipes are most likely to burst when exposed to below-freezing conditions for six hours or more, which can happen throughout winter and early spring.
High Water Pressure
Water pressure is crucial for proper plumbing. The recommended pressure for most domestic water pipes is 40 to 45 psi. If the pressure exceeds 60 psi in your house, the result can be bursting pipes that may explode.
Popping Sounds
If you hear one or more loud “popping” sounds coming from a wall in the residence, this noise could indicate pipes bursting. When water freezes, it expands in size. Consequently, chunks of ice in a frozen plumbing system sometimes press against pipe, blocking the flow of water.
This finding was supported by a survey of 71 plumbers practicing in southern states, in which the consensus was that burst pipe problems began to appear when temperatures fell into the teens. However, freezing incidents can occur when the temperature remains above 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Water sounds in the walls are another sign. If you hear a constant drip, but know all of your faucets are aren't the cause, a pipe inside the wall is a likely cause for the noise. Additionally, check your other water fixtures before you assume a burst. Toilets, sinks, or tubs also make water noises from time to time.
Place the plunger over the hole in the toilet. Maintain a seal and plunge up and down rapidly, keeping the plunger under the water level and lifting it only an inch or so on every upstroke. Be patient, as it may take multiple plunge cycles, of a dozen plunges per cycle, to loosen the clog.